Residents urged to quit smoking to avoid fatal lung disease

Abu Dhabi, UAE: The incidence of a life-threatening respiratory disease that damages the lungs permanently could be on the rise as the proportion of smokers continues to increase in the UAE. An annual awareness campaign that focuses on respiratory conditions is, therefore, seeking to educate residents about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) this year.

Nearly 90 per cent of patients suffering from COPD are smokers, the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s sector regulator, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad), announced in a statement.

“The cessation of all forms of tobacco use reduces the likelihood of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is why we invite smokers to visit any specialised clinic to help them quit,” said Dr Omniyat Al Hajri, director of public health and research at the Haad.

While about 30 per cent of the UAE adult population smokes, a recent study suggests that about four per cent of adults between 40 and 80 years old are affected by COPD. At a conference held in 2015, experts said that the risk of tobacco use in the UAE is also continuing to rise as more and more youth take up alternative forms of smoking like shisha and midwakh (pipe tobacco).

COPD occurs as a result of permanent damage to the lungs, which can then no longer function at full capacity. In some cases, walls of the air sacs that promote gas exchange in the lungs are damaged. This is known as emphysema. The lining of the airways can also become constantly irritated and inflamed, creating a lot of thick mucous that makes it difficult to breathe. This is known as chronic bronchitis.

Patients suffer from wheezing, shortness of breath and fatigue induced by a minimal amount of exertion. Symptoms are known to worsen over time and can limit patients’ ability to carry out routine activities, and severe forms of the disease can prevent people from even walking and cooking.

It is not just smokers who are at risk of developing COPD, however. According to the Haad, people regularly exposed to the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, or dust, could also develop COPD. This is why it is advisable to keep children away from smoke. Similarly, environmental pollution and frequent childhood respiratory infections also lead to a decline in lung efficiency, and related illnesses as people age.

“We, therefore, advise that people adopt active lifestyles and refrain from smoking, as well as exposure to secondhand smoke,” Dr Al Hajeri said.

The Haad campaign, titled ‘Breath Freely and Enjoy Your Life’, will include surveys of patients with respiratory diseases, and services offered to them by healthcare providers. In addition, brochures will be distributed to inform people about respiratory diseases like COPD and asthma.